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Odisha Part 4: Chilika – Experiencing the lake, in and out of season

My first visit to the Chilika Lake in Jan 2017 was for content for a resort. It was peak season, and I would have loved to stay near the lake, but the brief was to stay at Puri and cover areas that could be visited from Puri. And so, I did the usual touristy thing, taking a boat for half the day. Which is why, on my next visit to Odisha, if there was one thing I was clear about, it was that I wanted to stay near the lake, at least for a day, if not more. However, unlike my first visit, the second was in end of May, and the season was long ended. There would be no birds, I was warned by anyone and everyone I spoke to, including the people at the stays I was considering. But those who know me, know how stubborn I can be, and so I persisted. I eventually decided to stay at two of the Odisha eco-tourism resorts, at Mangalajodi and Rajhans, keen on experiencing the lake, even minus the birds. I had expected it to be hot, but as it turned out, the rains turned out to be even bigger spoilspo...
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Photographer


If you ever go to the Gateway of India, you cant miss these guys.... they are everywhere!!



They roam around with a camera in hand, clicking photos of the multitudes of tourists.  They have been around for what seems forever!!! I remember a time when they used to work as a group - one clicking photos while the smaller boys ran to get the photos developed. The customer was asked to come back in an hour, and the photo would be ready. There was also a phase when the Polaroid was all the rage! Instant photos!! Customers lined up just for the thrill of seeing the developed image emerge from the camera!! Digital cameras and photo printers have made life easier for them. They simply take a pic, print it, and hand it over to you within a few minutes, and go on their way, looking for their next customer.

These guys are great at spotting prospective customers. I have never been accosted by them when I have been there alone..... but every time I go with Samhith, they are right there, promising the best photograph!! And they can get really pesky when we are there with the full family!!  This time, I was at the Gateway with my cousins and Samhith, and one of the chaps approached us. And then he spotted the DSLR hanging from my cousin's neck, and the high zoom camera hanging from mine, and turned away, but not before giving me a big smile!! 

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Location: P J Ramchandani Marg, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Comments

  1. MridulaApril 15, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    Well said Anu. In Mussoorie one of them told me, I will click your's from your SLR only. I just smiled and moved ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarApril 16, 2012 at 8:32 AM

      true Mridula, these guys are everywhere!! and most people do enjoy having their photo taken, so they manage to make a living too, i guess!! there are few of us completely uninterested in our own pics!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousApril 15, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    I loved that last line!!! Could picture the scene so vividly!!!!

    Kanthi

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shrinidhi HandeApril 15, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    How about offering them back to click their photo?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarApril 16, 2012 at 8:35 AM

      Hmm yes, Shrinidhi,good idea, should do that sometime....

      Delete
  4. R Niranjan DasApril 17, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    It isnt easy to get away from them. :)

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarApril 18, 2012 at 8:38 AM

      absolutely!!! they can stick like leeches at times... which is why people like her are a refreshing sight!

      Delete

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